Effect of Osstrone on Hypophyses and Reproductive Organs of Thyroidectomized Rats

Abstract

Kojima, 1 Severinghaus, Smelser and Clark, 2 and Zeckwer 3 , 4 have studied the hypophyses of thyroidectomized rats. Their reports agree that the basophiles increase in number and size and that the reaction is similar to that which occurs following gonadectomy. Zeckwer 4 considers that the reaction is sufficiently different to suggest the possibility that the basophiles are of 2 distinct types, vis., those which react to gonadectomy and those which react to thyroid-ectomy. She further suggests that these 2 basophilic types are concerned in the production, respectively, of the gonadotropic and the thyrotropic hormones. Zeckwer also reports that the acidophiles are markedly decreased. The findings of Severinghaus, et al., are in essential agreement as they find extensive acidophilic degranulation. Cells which their technique would show to be recently degranulated would be classified as chromophobes with the technique used by Zeckwer.

Zeckwer's suggestion that the cells which react to thyroidectomy are a separate type from those which react to gonadectomy suggested the treatment of a series of thyroidectomized rats with oestrone. This substance will prevent or correct the changes which occur in the basophiles following castration.

Twenty-five adult female and 12 adult male rats were thyroidectomized. Of these 8 females and 4 males were also gonadectomized. At the conclusion of the experimental period the hypophyses, gonads, adrenals, and accessory reproductive organs including the mammary glands were recovered for histological study. The techniques employed by both Severinghaus and Zeckwer were employed in representative instances. The entire thyroid region was sectioned serially and in every instance was found to be free of residual thyroid tissue.

Five T-animals∗ and 3 T-C-animalst were sacrificed on the 22nd day after thyroidectomy, 5 T- and 3 T-C-animals on the 42nd day, and 2 T-animals on the 122nd day. Five T- and 6 T-C-animals were sacrificed at 42 days, having received 40 R.U. of oestrone daily during the last 20 days. Five T-animals were treated during the entire 42-day period and 3 T-animals were sacrificed at 122 days, having received treatment during the last 30 days.